When cold weather keeps families stuck inside, cabin fever can quickly set in. The good news? You don’t need fancy toys or lots of space to have fun indoors! Play is essential for children’s development and is a great way to build early literacy skills through talking, singing, and imagination. Here are some simple, screen-free indoor play ideas to help your family stay active and happy at home.
Create a living room obstacle course. Use pillows, chairs, blankets, and tape on the floor to create a safe obstacle course. Kids can crawl under tables, hop between cushions, or balance along a taped “beam.” Give step-by-step directions or have your child help design the course using descriptive words.
Have an indoor scavenger hunt. Create a list of items to find around the house (something soft, something red, a book, a spoon). Practice reading the clues together or draw picture clues for younger children.
Have a Dance Party! Play music and let kids dance freely. Pause the music, and everyone freezes in place! Use songs with actions like “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” or “The Hokey Pokey.”
Create a blanket fort reading nook. Turn blankets and chairs into a cozy fort and read your favorite books inside. Let your child “read” to you or retell the story in their own words.
Create a kitchen band. Grab pots, pans, wooden spoons, and shakers to make music. Sing nursery rhymes or make up silly songs together.
Play balloon volleyball. Use a balloon and a string, or a couch cushion as a makeshift net.
This is great for burning energy safely indoors.
Have a family game night. Play simple board games, card games, or classic games like charades. Practice taking turns, following directions, and using new vocabulary.
Remember: play doesn’t have to be perfect or planned. Even 10–15 minutes of focused, playful interaction can make a big difference in your child’s mood and development. Rotate activities to keep things fresh, and most importantly—have fun together!